Pubdate: Wed, 31 Oct 2012 Source: Valley Voice, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 The Valley Voice Contact: http://www.valleyvoice.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1388 Author: Jan McMurray Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca/ DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN SILVERTON The Sensible BC Campaign, working towards a referendum on the decriminalization of possession of marijuana in BC, kicked off its provincial tour in Silverton on October 3. "I'm inspired by this turnout - 20 people came out on short notice in Silverton," said Dana Larsen, who is heading up the campaign. Larsen had scheduled Nelson for his first tour date, but squeezed in a session beforehand at the Cup and Saucer in Silverton when invited by Silverton resident Leah Main. The referendum, following the same process as the HST referendum, Decriminalization of marijuana campaign launched in Silverton will take place in BC in September 2014 if enough people sign up to support it. At least 10 percent of registered voters in every provincial riding, or 400,000 people, must sign a petition in order for the referendum to go ahead. Larsen said he feels very sure that a referendum on the decriminalization of the possession of cannabis would pass. "There is lots of support in both the NDP and Liberal caucuses," he said. "People are confused about what the terms 'decriminalization' and 'legalization' mean, but calling for the decriminalization of possession is something everyone agrees on. Over 75 percent of people in BC agree. The hard part is getting 400,000 signatures." People can sign up on the Sensible BC website, or on paper copies of the Sensible BC Registration Form in circulation in communities. Signing up now is like pre-registering. The formal collection of signatures will occur from August to October 2013. Everyone who signs up now will be contacted when the time comes to sign up officially. "Most advocacy groups feel the law should change. But we are the only group that has developed our own legislation," said Larsen. He said they worked with Elections BC to ensure the legislation is valid. Although marijuana is illegal under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Province contracts the police and therefore has the power to direct them. "This legislation tells the Province to tell the police not to search or seize or detain or arrest anyone for possession," he said. "For marijuana to be fully legal, you have to deal with the federal government - but remember, alcohol prohibition was done at the provincial level." The legislation is called the Sensible Policing Act, and it has three parts. The first part is an amendment to the provincial Police Act that directs police not to use any resources or take any action at all in cases of simple possession of marijuana by adults. Police will still be able to act in cases of possession for the purpose of trafficking. The second part deals with youth, by adding cannabis to the section of the BC Liquor Control Act that covers minors in possession of alcohol. This authorizes police to seize cannabis from a minor and to issue a ticket, exactly as it is with alcohol. The third part calls upon the federal government to remove cannabis from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, so BC can tax and regulate cannabis like alcohol and tobacco. This part also mandates the BC government to do a study about how it would tax and regulate cannabis. Although rumour has it that simple possession of marijuana is overlooked by police in BC, Larsen was armed with statistics showing the contrary. He said over 3,500 British Columbians were charged with simple possession of marijuana last year, which is close to double the rate of charges of any other province. And the rate of possession charges has increased dramatically over the years - by 60 percent between 2007 and 2011. Another rumour dispelled by Larsen is that the US would never allow this to happen in Canada. "Many states are way ahead of us," he said. Larsen said cannabis has been illegal since the 1920s, and "it's high time to change that." "The time is right," he said. "Public opinion polls show that the majority of people want this. The HST campaign showed us this can be done." Main added that the majority vote in favour of the decriminalization of marijuana at the recent Union of BC Municipalities convention was a big step forward, as well. Larsen is touring the province until the end of January, and will launch a second tour in March. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt